March 22, 2005

ATLANTA, Ga. - North Carolina sophomore Ivory Latta has been named the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Player of the Month for March. The honor was announced on Tuesday and does not include performances in the NCAA Tournament.

During the month of March, the 5-6 sophomore point guard averaged 25.7 points with a field goal percentage of .524 and a free throw percentage of .800. Latta, a 2005 Kodak/WBCA All-America finalist, poured in 32 points against Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament semifinals and 26 points in the championship game as UNC defeated Duke for the title Latta was named the ACC Tournament MVP and the Tar Heels received the No. 1 seed in the Tempe region of the NCAA Tournament.

For the season, Latta leads the Tar Heels with 17.2 points per game. She earned first-team All-ACC honors after being named to the second team last season as a freshman.

The WBCA National Players of the Month for the 2004-2005 season included:
Kendra Wecker, University of Kansas - February
Jessica Davenport, Ohio State University - January
Sandora Irvin, Texas Christian - December

Also nominated in March: Candice Dupree, Temple University (Atlantic 10); Hollie Tyler, University of Montana (Big Sky); Sophia Young, Baylor University (Big Twelve); Kate Achter, Bowling Green University (Mid- American); Zane Teilane, Western Illinois (Mid- Continent); Sherrie Tucker, Coppin State University (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference); Jaci McCormack, Illinois State University (Missouri Valley); Beth Swink, St. Francis (PA) University (Northeast); Miranda Eckerle, Eastern Kentucky University (Ohio Valley); Candice Wiggins, Stanford (Pac-10); Jennifer Gardner, Western Carolina University (Southern)